Is Stanford Too Close To Silicon Valley?

nicholast writes "The New Yorker has a story by Ken Auletta about the connections between Stanford and Silicon Valley. The piece explains how important the university is to tech companies and venture capital firms, but it also questions whether Stanford has become too focused on wealth. 'It's an atmosphere that can be toxic to the mission of the university as a place of refuge, contemplation, and investigation for its own sake,' says one professor. The piece also explains Stanford's conflicted thoughts about distance education, which could transform the university or prove to be a threat to it."

Re:Well, there you have it

[Anonymous Coward]

Clearly you have never met the unproductive MBA graduates from Stanford.

Stanford Grads are Awesome

[l0ungeb0y]

Can't tell you how helpful having some Middle-Manager type making an appearance in the interview room, proudly proclaiming his Stanford Alumni status and MENSA membership before laying out the all important "brain teaser" to save me from taking the interview any further. Funny how the recruiter mentioned beforehand that they were having such a hard time finding qualified candidates.

Re:Well, there you have it

[Black Parrot]

One Slashdotter's trash is another's treasure.

Also, I've heard over and over again the lots of businesses have a high regard for liberal arts majors as organizers.

Re:Mensa is the problem

[hairyfish]

I may be ruining the joke here, but the Mensa test is actually a two part test. Most people with half a brain get past the first part, but by actually joining Mensa you fail the second. Mensa is the group that failed. Smart enough to know, but not smart enough to know better.

Re:Well, there you have it

[dintech]

Is Stanford Too Close To Silicon Valley?

I wouldn't say it's too close, it's not really walking distance. I'll call the Dean and ask him if he can move the University a few miles west.